Mavis Marilyn Ellis

Mavis Marilyn (Masat) Ellis, 86, of Redfield, SD, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 6th, at Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. A prayer service will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Her Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026, at the Redfield Methodist Church in Redfield, due to remodeling being done at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Pastor Joy Proper will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Redfield. After the committal service, lunch and fellowship will take place in the church hall.

Mavis's prayer service and funeral service will be live-streamed through a link on the funeral home's website below her obituary. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hyke Funeral Home of Redfield (www.hykefuneralhome.com).

Mavis was born on September 2, 1939, in Redfield, South Dakota, to Lewis and Alta (Peimann) Masat.

Mavis grew up on the Masat homestead, where she took great pride in being a caring older sister to Lois, Dennis, and Darlys. She often shared memories of caring for Darlys as an infant and spending summer days catching bullhead in the Jim River.

She graduated from Redfield High School in 1957 and went on to attend the Aberdeen School of Commerce. With a natural talent for numbers and a strong work ethic, she began her career at Spink County Bank in Redfield.

On June 26, 1960, Mavis married the love of her life, Verlyn Ellis. Together, they built a life grounded in commitment, hard work, and family, sharing 65 years of marriage. In their early years, they welcomed three sons-Kevin, Kurt, and Kerry. Mavis was the quiet anchor of the Ellis family, offering steady care, unwavering support, and, as many will fondly remember, a daily chore list that kept the household running like a well-oiled machine.

In the early years, the family made their home in Philip, SD, and Pierre, SD. After a short time in Riverside, CA, they moved to Huron, SD. In Huron, they purchased Farmers Market Grocery, where Mavis played an integral role in the business while raising their boys. She found great joy in watching them play baseball and, on occasion, could be seen yelling for her car at the stock car races on Sunday evenings.

In 1981, Mavis and Verlie returned to Redfield and built Farmers Meat Processing, a business that became a cornerstone of their lives for over 30 years. Mavis managed the books, wrapped meat, and provided the steady financial guidance that helped ensure its success. However, she was likely better known for her chocolate chip cookies and cakes that kept employees, friends, and customers happy. Overall, her dedication, work ethic, and quiet determination were at the heart of both the business and the family.

Mavis was a devoted member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, where she found joy in worship and fellowship. Though fiercely practical, her kindness, humility, and deep love for Jesus were shown through in the way she lived and cared for others.

She is survived by her loving husband, Verlyn; her sons, Kevin (Karla) Ellis of Rapid City, SD; Kurt (Emily) Ellis of Wilmington, NC; and Kerry (Jane) Ellis of Brandon, SDa; eight grandchildren, Eli (Rachel) Ellis, Ethan (Aileen) Ellis, Kate (Andrew) Harding, Lara Ellis, Grant (Cassie) Ellis, Ches Ellis, Quentin Ellis, and Luther Ellis; and four great-grandchildren, including Eden Ellis, James Harding, Mable Ellis and Micah Ellis. She is also survived by her siblings, Lois and Darlys.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her dearly loved brother, Dennis Masat.

Mavis will be remembered for her steady presence, her deep love for her family, and the quiet strength with which she lived her life. The legacy she leaves is one of devotion to God and family, resilience, and enduring care-woven into the lives of all who knew and loved her.